Prosecutor Robert Smith QC told the court Burke and Nicholson, who claimed he was the baby's natural father though it was denied by the mother, had been in their home at Crigdon Hill, East Denton, Newcastle, alone when an ambulance was called for the baby in the early morning of December 14, 2013.

Despite desperate efforts to revive her, the baby was pronounced dead in hospital.

Mr Smith said injuries found after her death, to her eyes and brain as well as bruising, indicate she had been subjected to "physical violence" and there was also evidence of an older head injury.

The court heard in the days before the baby's death Burke and Nicholson had been arguing about her recent employment in a nightclub.

Nicholson was suspicious about her "association with other men" through the job.

The court heard on the morning of the baby's death, Burke had gone to meet pals after she finished work at 3am, and returned home after 6am that morning.

It was during the argument that followed her return that the baby received the fatal injuries, prosecutors claim.

Mr Smith said: "It is likely, the prosecution submit, Tequiilah was injured during the course of the argument by one or other or both of the defendants, each of them exhibiting loss of temper towards the other."

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